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Menendez Parents Killed
Jose Menendez and his wife, Kitty are killed in their manision in Beverly Hills. Their sons, Erik and Lyle, find them and call the cops. The brothers claim to have been at the movies and to have come home to find their parents murdered -
Lyle Arrested
The older brother, Lyle is arrested. -
Erik Arrested
Erik surrenders at Los Angeles International Airport upon returning from Israel. -
Murder Charges are Filed against Erik and Lyle.
District Attorney Ira Reiner says the brothers killed their parents in hopes of inheriting their home which was estimated to be worth about $14 million. -
Erik and Lyle Plead Innocent
Looking arrogant and entitled Erik and Lyle plead innocent to all charges. -
Trail Begins
Prosecutors accuse the brothers of premeditated murder meanwhile defense attorneys provide context of sexual and physical abuse that the brothers suffered from. -
Period: to
First Menendez Trial
The brothers are tried seperately and both end in mistrials. -
Dr. L. Jerome Oziel Testifies
Their psychiatrist takes the stand and admits the brothers admitted the murder to him. -
Testimonies End
101 witnesses including Erik and Lyle are presented to the court in the timespan of 5 months. -
Judge Declares Mistrial
After 19 days of the being deadlocked for Erik and 25 days for Lyle the judges declare mistrials. Jurors are split between second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and conspiracy to commit murder which leads to the mistrial. -
Period: to
Second Menendez Trial
The brothers are put on trial together this time with the prosecutors claiming they killed their parents to gain access to the family fortune while the defense saw it was self-defense after years of abuse. -
Judge Bars Self-Defense Claim
Judge Weisberg won't allow the jury to consider the claim that the brothers killed because they believed their parents would kill them -
Jury Returns a Guilty Verdict
Both brothers are convicted of first degree murder wtih special circumstances -
Jury Recommends Life in Prison
Jurors decide against leniency for the brothers who are sentenced to life in jail.